https://www.polity.org.za
Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
Home / Statements RSS ← Back
Close

Email this article

separate emails by commas, maximum limit of 4 addresses

Sponsored by

Close

Article Enquiry

SA: United In Our Diversity

Close

Embed Video

SA: United In Our Diversity

SA: United In Our Diversity

24th September 2018

ARTICLE ENQUIRY      SAVE THIS ARTICLE      EMAIL THIS ARTICLE

Font size: -+

/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Heritage Day, on 24 September, recognises and celebrates the cultural wealth of our nation. It is a day on which we especially remember and reflect on our varied cultural heritage as a nation.
 
South Africa has a rich history and must continue taking pride in the places, in our country, which have been declared World Heritage Sites. They reflect our commitment to ensuring that our story as a people and the diversity of our heritage is reflected accurately and inspires our resolve for a truly united, non-racial and prosperous nation. They are the Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Robben Island, Maluti-Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, Vredefort Dome, Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, Khomani Cultural Landscape.
 
Heritage Day is also a time for us to remember and take pride in what unites us – our Constitution.
 
As we commemorate the centenary birthday of our founding President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, we are reminded of what he said at the inauguration of the Constitutional Court in 1995: “Constitutionalism means that no office and no institution can be higher than the law. The highest and the most humble in the land all, without exception, owe allegiance to the same document, the same principles. It does not matter whether you are black or white, male or female, young or old; whether you speak Tswana or Afrikaans; whether you are rich or poor or ride in a smart new car or walk barefoot; whether you wear a uniform or are locked up in a cell.”
 
Heritage Day is also a time to take stock of how far we have come in realising our pledge to heal the divisions of our past so that we build a democratic South Africa based on justice.
 
A catalyst of true freedom, unity and prosperity of a nation is an inclusive economy – harnessing the skills and talents of all our people to achieve the future to which our Constitution aspires. Economic transformation, land restitution included, must be vigorously advanced to ensure true reconciliation and to heal the divisions of the past. Parliament’s public hearings about whether a review of section 25 of the Constitution is necessary have stimulated a national conversation about the role of land reform in creating such a South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of measures to rejuvenate our economy should provoke a similar conversation among all of us about how we can contribute.
 
South Africa must continue to show collective intolerance of phenomena that threaten our national unity and social cohesion, including social ills, such, as racism, crime and violence against women and children.
 
As we celebrate the centenary birthdays of Madiba and Ma Albertina Sisulu, let us draw inspiration from the principles by which they lived and upon which our democracy is founded. Let us, united in our diversity, recommit to building a South Africa in which the quality of life of all citizens is improved and the potential of each person is freed.

 

Advertisement

Issued by Parliament of South Africa
 
 

To watch Creamer Media's latest video reports, click here
 
Advertisement

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE      SAVE THIS ARTICLE ARTICLE ENQUIRY

To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Comment Guidelines

 

About

Polity.org.za is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Engineering News
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa

Read more

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Polity.org.za is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options
Free daily email newsletter Register Now